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Poof! He's A Wizard

January 25, 2000|By From news and sports reports.

In a move that would make Harry Potter proud, Michael Jordan became a Wizard with a capital W last week.

A year after retiring from the NBA, the former Bulls superstar will be wearing a suit not suiting up for the Washington Wizards. MJ was named head of basketball operations for the struggling franchise in the nation's capital. He has also become a part owner.

We bet you're asking, so... no, the Bulls never made MJ a similar offer.

And we bet you're asking this: As far as Chicago goes, is MJ outta here?

MJ said he plans to commute between Chicago and D.C but keep his family residence in Chicago. "My roots are Chicago, my kids are in school, (but) I will be here in Washington for as much time as it takes to turn this team around," he said at a press conference last week in D.C.

MJ will be in charge of trades, player acquisitions, contracts, the draft, and the hiring and firing of coaches. Under NBA rules, he can't play for the Wizards as a part owner, but he says he'll practice with the team.

"I'm going to try to have my imprints and footprints all over this organization," he said.

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Have something to say to MJ (like "COME BACK!!!!!")? You can write him in care of: Washington Wizards/